Think You've Mastered Proper Gym Etiquette? You Haven't - Read This

From CrossFit and aerial yoga to free weights and warrior boot camps, there’s no shortage of options for guys looking to shed those pounds and get in shape. All it takes is a good, hard sweat! But if you've ever been to the gym before, whether at a fancy, boutique fitness studio or a classic, chain gym, there are unspoken rules you should be following.

Rules might seem a little harsh, so maybe just think of them as guidelines for what not to do — unless you want everyone else in the gym to hate your guts and call you a gym rat or douchebag behind your back. These gym etiquette guidelines can range from wiping down pieces of equipment after you use them (especially the mats!) to appropriate changing room behavior.

Apart from not leaving your gross sweat behind on everything you use or touch, be mindful of the headphone rule. Most gym-goers are friendly people, happy to have a little chat, offer support or workout tips or even spot you if you ask nicely. But for the love of all that is holy, if you see someone working out hard with a pair of headphones on — clearly in the zone — don't tap them on the shoulder and try to strike up a conversation. This is even more true when it comes to trying to pick up women. Face the facts: Girls do not go to the gym to try and meet guys. They just don't. There are tons of ways for you to meet women that don't involve you having to interrupt their workouts with your staring or bad pickup lines.

Another big rule of thumb when at the gym is that if you use a piece of equipment — say a dumbbell, medicine ball or a mat, then always, ALWAYS, return it where you found it. Yeah, it can be annoying to tidy up after a pretty strenuous set, but not only is it courteous to other people, it might just help you burn a few more calories!

Gym etiquette doesn't just end there.There are some super basic dos and don'ts when it comes to the locker room as well. Basic hygiene is a big one: Everyone sweats at the gym but there's a reason why there are showers in the changing rooms. Don't be shy, use them! Of course, it doesn't end there. There are tons more things you should be aware of: Not hogging the benches with your towels and clothing, lounging around chatting in the nude or over-grooming yourself in front of everyone.

If your in doubt about the basics of gym etiquette, our simple video guide will give you an essential rundown.